Five Things to Watch in Ravens versus Carolina Panthers

Mitch Stringer / USA Today Sports

For 13 years, all Steve Smith knew was playing and excelling for a Panthers team owned by Jerry Richardson. Then, the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver suddenly found himself out of a job in March amidst talk of his salary, age and declining production. He also was supposedly a disruptive force in the locker room and had a well-known rift with general manager Dave Gettleman. Regardless of which reason was the overriding factor in Smith's departure, it was a relatively messy divorce. Now, Smith is about to face his old team after signing a three-year, $11 million contract in March with the Ravens. The proverbial chip on the shoulder? That doesn't do Smith's personal motivation proper justice. It's more like a forest of Redwood trees atop No. 89's shoulder. So what will all that mean on the field Sunday? An angry Smith is usually an effective Smith. He seems to do an excellent job feeding off his emotions. As long as quarterback Joe Flacco gets him involved early and Smith keeps his temper under control, there's a chance he'll dominate his old team. There's also an extremely viable scenario in which the Panthers pay so much attention to Smith, who's been targeted 31 times for 18 receptions and 290 yards and a touchdown and is on pace to finish the season with 96 catches and 1,546 yards, that it opens up opportunities for wide receiver Torrey Smith and tight end Owen Daniels. Regardless of what kind of numbers Smith produces, his actions and words bear watching.

For 13 years, all Steve Smith knew was playing and excelling for a Panthers team owned by Jerry Richardson. Then, the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver suddenly found himself out of a job in March amidst talk of his salary, age and declining production. He also was supposedly a disruptive force in the locker room and had a well-known rift with general manager Dave Gettleman. Regardless of which reason was the overriding factor in Smith's departure, it was a relatively messy divorce. Now, Smith is about to face his old team after signing a three-year, $11 million contract in March with the Ravens. The proverbial chip on the shoulder? That doesn't do Smith's personal motivation proper justice. It's more like a forest of Redwood trees atop No. 89's shoulder. So what will all that mean on the field Sunday? An angry Smith is usually an effective Smith. He seems to do an excellent job feeding off his emotions. As long as quarterback Joe Flacco gets him involved early and Smith keeps his temper under control, there's a chance he'll dominate his old team. There's also an extremely viable scenario in which the Panthers pay so much attention to Smith, who's been targeted 31 times for 18 receptions and 290 yards and a touchdown and is on pace to finish the season with 96 catches and 1,546 yards, that it opens up opportunities for wide receiver Torrey Smith and tight end Owen Daniels. Regardless of what kind of numbers Smith produces, his actions and words bear watching. (Mitch Stringer / USA Today Sports)

The rookie tackle is accustomed to pressure situations, starting as a true freshman at North Carolina and earning freshman All-American honors. He wound up starting 49 games for the Tar Heels and was a two-time all-conference selection. He held his own against South Carolina star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney last season, limiting him to three tackles and no sacks. The Ravens would be thrilled if Hurst had similar success Sunday against the Panthers' defensive line, which includes defensive ends Charles Johnson, Wes Horton and Mario Addison. If not for a broken leg in the Belk Bowl, Hurst, who chose the Ravens over 18 competing offers, would likely have been drafted no later than the fourth round. Hurst has good footwork and technique, but is lighter than ideal at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds. "Good athleticism, technique, a bit light, though," an NFL scout said of Hurst, "Smart player, but needs a year in the weight room to get bigger and stronger." Hurst has no choice but to be ready. It's considered likely that the Ravens will operate as more of a right-handed outfit than usual in terms of running plays and passing plays. They'll also provide chip-blocking assistance to Hurst if necessary. Hurst is a precocious rookie in terms of intelligence and blocking acumen, but was overwhelmed at times by Ravens outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil during training camp. Avoiding that kind of scenario Sunday is pivotal for the Ravens' offense.

The rookie tackle is accustomed to pressure situations, starting as a true freshman at North Carolina and earning freshman All-American honors. He wound up starting 49 games for the Tar Heels and was a two-time all-conference selection. He held his own against South Carolina star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney last season, limiting him to three tackles and no sacks. The Ravens would be thrilled if Hurst had similar success Sunday against the Panthers' defensive line, which includes defensive ends Charles Johnson, Wes Horton and Mario Addison. If not for a broken leg in the Belk Bowl, Hurst, who chose the Ravens over 18 competing offers, would likely have been drafted no later than the fourth round. Hurst has good footwork and technique, but is lighter than ideal at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds. "Good athleticism, technique, a bit light, though," an NFL scout said of Hurst, "Smart player, but needs a year in the weight room to get bigger and stronger." Hurst has no choice but to be ready. It's considered likely that the Ravens will operate as more of a right-handed outfit than usual in terms of running plays and passing plays. They'll also provide chip-blocking assistance to Hurst if necessary. Hurst is a precocious rookie in terms of intelligence and blocking acumen, but was overwhelmed at times by Ravens outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil during training camp. Avoiding that kind of scenario Sunday is pivotal for the Ravens' offense. (Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports)